THE differences of opinion voiced on the skatepark application at the Lake Grounds, Portishead, have been ongoing for a number of years and I am sure will continue for some time to come. But actual evidence remains constant and cannot be ignored. So putting personal opinions to one side, let's look at the evidence only, which may prevent any further misinterpretations of the facts or inaccurate personal opinion regarding the voice of Portishead's "silent majority".

1. Those residents in Portishead who chose to take part in the consultation which formed part of North Somerset Council's statutory planning process, overwhelmingly supported the skatepark at the Lake Grounds. By the time of the planning appeal, despite more letters for and against, the majority was still in favour. In the Coast Ward alone, in which the Lake Grounds is sited, the majority of residents expressed support, contrary to what was heard at the Town Hall in Weston.

2. There was extensive media coverage in newspapers and on Radio Bristol during the planning process, as well as information evenings by Portishead Skatepark Project, not forgetting the surveys and leaflets to many of the Coast Ward residents by Councillor David Pasley and others who wanted to ensure residents were fully informed of the application and of their rights to be involved.

3. The results of the 2011 census have not been published so the exact population of Portishead is not known but based on the 2001 census, it is true to say that those who engaged in the planning process both in support and against, can be called a minority. Those who freely chose to remain silent are of course the majority but nobody can say if that majority supports or opposes the skatepark at the Lake Grounds or anywhere else. They had a chance to speak but for their own reasons elected not to. The opinions of the "silent majority" will always remain unknown. Nobody can claim to know what the opinion of the silent majority is but it can be often assumed they have no strong feelings either way.

4. If there was a referendum, no one can say for sure what the outcome would be. Claiming that people, "would undoubtedly vote against the skatepark" is supposition. However, a referendum idea was not entertained by North Somerset Council. Councillors opposing the skatepark failed at scrutiny to justify the decision to refuse consent at the lake grounds, losing the vote against the motion for a reconsideration.

5. Portishead Town Council voted in favour of supporting the skatepark planning application at the Lake Grounds, as well as the application for consent. Furthermore, the ward councillors had every opportunity to present evidence of residents' opinions at the planning stage which some did but the majority of communications received were still in favour.

The extensive consultation reflected the opinions of those who thought the matter important enough for them to engage and register their views.

6. In the absence of a referendum, planning consultation is the democratic solution to assessing residents' feelings. So knowing that the majority of residents who engaged in the planning process overwhelmingly supported the skatepark, why has the executive member of North Somerset Council Tony Lake again turned down application for lease? All planning policies were satisfied. Planning permission had been granted. No council funding was sought. So what happened? Perhaps North Somerset's Conservative council can explain to David Cameron whose idea of a Big Society only works when it suits.

Annette Hennessy

Portishead